CVE-2020-3176 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Cisco Remote PHY Device Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute commands on the underlying Linux shell of an affected device with root privileges.

Understanding CVE-2020-3176

This CVE involves a command injection vulnerability in Cisco Remote PHY Device Software.

What is CVE-2020-3176?

The vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to run commands on the affected device's Linux shell with root privileges due to improper input sanitization.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3176

CVSS Base Score: 6.7 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
An attacker with valid administrator access could compromise the system by executing arbitrary commands as the root user.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3176

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the software's failure to properly sanitize user input, enabling attackers to execute commands with root privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Remote PHY
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Version: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by supplying crafted CLI commands with specific arguments.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-3176 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches promptly.
Restrict network access to affected devices.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software and firmware.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories and updates from Cisco to address this vulnerability.